When it's HOT like it is here, thunderstorms brew up out of nowhere. Lightening is quite dangerous, and when it's as dry as it is now, there's always fear of fire. We haven't had rain for well over a month ... maybe even close to two months. It's very dry. Very dangerous.
This evening a very large storm formed just south of where we live (of course we didn't get ANY rain from it). When Alan and I were out doing our evening chores we could see the entire area of the storm and with the rain pouring out of it from the center, it looked like a massive jelly fish in the sky. It was so amazing! Of course, by the time I got back out to the barn with my camera, the clouds had moved just enough that we lost the really cool perspective. But I did get a couple of interesting shots.
Of course, Jackie and Molly always beg for snacks when we're out in the pastures, so any time I'm out in their pasture with my camera they're pretty much in my lap, begging. They're even too close for photos -- I need at least 3 feet of space for focusing, girls!
Tonight was no different. But look at this cool photo I got of Jackie's hip and Molly's ears, with LIGHTENING striking in the distance!! What crazy timing! There was lightening all around, and it was just luck that I was able to catch a shot with lightening actually in the photo! Of course, it's not a GREAT photo of the silly donkeys, but considering Jackie was bumping my elbow with her nose when I took the shot, it's pretty ok!
A few minutes later, I noticed an odd glowing orange area of light about 4 or 5 miles from our house. Seems a bolt of lightening had started a fire and the flames were getting tall, fast!
The sun was just going down when the fire started, and the large orange glow kept no secrets about where the fire was. Hopefully there weren't any homes in danger, which is always a worry when it comes to rural fires. Lack of roads and access make fighting the fires difficult for local crews. But it wasn't long before local and volunteer firefighters had the burn under control. Here's hoping nothing was damaged, or injured.
Very cool photos Anna. We didn't get one drop of rain from that storm either. Just lots of thunder! It's so parched and dry. Living in the city I feel so much safer from a lightening strike than out where you are. Facinating photos...
Posted by: Barb Hardeman | July 14, 2008 at 05:57 PM
Great photos but scary too. Hope all was well with everyone and that mango cooler looks so good-thanks for the recipe-will try it.
Bev J. (Maxell on SCS)
Posted by: Bev J. | July 14, 2008 at 12:13 PM
WOW Anna. I am always so impressed. The pic' with the horses in it is just beyond words. Fantastic.
Posted by: Lindsey (jacksonbelle) | July 14, 2008 at 08:52 AM
Wow, awesome pictures! I hope what burned was not something "valuable"...like a crop or something! You just never know what Mother Nature is going to dream up for us...thanks for the great insight into tonight's weather there! :D
Posted by: diane mcvey | July 13, 2008 at 10:59 PM